Adiantum pedatum
Common: northern maidenhairAdiantum pedatum LP32 - 32 per flat
- Height: 12"-24"
- Spread: 12"-18"
- Spacing: 12"
- Hardiness Zone(s): 2-8
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Plant Details
Dainty, bright green fronds are held aloft on shiny black stems, creating a light, airy texture in the woodland garden. In rich soil and bright shade it will spread by shallow rhizomes to form a dense groundcover. Found in the humus-rich woodlands and moist woods of Eastern North America. Easy to grow as long as the soil is loose and rich.
Characteristics & Attributes
Exposure
- Full Shade
- Part Sun
Soil Moisture Needs
- Moist
- Average
Green Infrastructure
- Woodland
Wetland Indicator Status
- Falcutative (FAC)
Plug Type
- Landscape Plug™
For Animals
- Deer Resistant
Attributes
- Groundcover
- Ornamental Foliage
- Native to North America
- Cut Flower
Propagation Type
- Tissue culture
Care & Maintenance
A. pedatum can be found in humus-rich woodlands and moist woods in acidic to neutral, moist, well-drained soils. Does not tolerate clay. Happier in cooler climates and can take more sun in northern zones. Spreads by shallow rhizomes. Propagate by dividing rhizomes in spring or from spores.
Interesting Notes
As far as native ferns go, there is no comparison to Adiantum pedatum. This unique and stunning deciduous fern has no peer in our native woodland plant palette, except of course for its southern counterpart, Adiantum capillus-veneris. Its delicate, vibrant green fronds are held aloft on shiny black stems, creating a distinctive light and airy texture.
If you're lucky you'll see this fern in the humus-rich, moist to mesic woodlands in eastern North America. It can be found in both acidic and neutral soil conditions.
Adiantum pedatum is tucked into sheltered shady spots in our shade trials where it spreads slowly by shallow rhizomes. We've found that it displays its best foliage in northern climates with cooler summers.